Her skin is weathered but her blue eyes still sparkle with intelligence and a love of life. She just celebrated her 85th birthday, but for Mavis every day is a celebration. We could all learn a lot from Mavis, and Byrd must have figured that out right away. Mavis told me that Byrd was like her daughter and she really misses her.
When I arrived for our visit, although we had never met, she greeted me like a long lost friend. Her tears came quickly when she mentioned Byrd and I was happy to allow her to express her grief. We talked for an hour and a half. We talked about her experiences in Mexico and mine in Peru. We talked about religion and literature.
I was humbled by the fact that she still walks everywhere, doesn't have a TV or a phone and reads 4 or 5 books a day.
She also told me more about Byrd's final week. How Byrd was distraught with her SGI situation, trying to meet the deadline for her screenplay and hadn't slept for days.
The way I met Mavis at all was pretty crazy and there is a series of events connected to Byrd that I can't explain. As Buddhists we talk about being in rhythm. I have been in rhythm, but I'm not sure who's playing the music, if you get my meaning.
I told Mavis I would try to locate Byrd's screenplay so if anybody has any ideas let me know.
Posted by chicks at February 14, 2009 06:06 PMSeems like there's more to this story. Will there be another installment?
Posted by: Bill at February 15, 2009 02:53 PMJean,
I am so glad that you got to meet Byrd's Mavis. Should you see her again, give her my regards: Byrd was a shining sun in my life, and I know Mavis shone on Byrd's life. Funny, all those little interconnections in life.
Please, Jean.... tell us more.
Kris
I didn't know she was working on a screenplay. That's cool! Please let us know if you find it.
Nancy
yes she was working on a screenplay about Mavis when she died. she planned to enter it in a contest. Now nobody knows where it is. The last conversation I had privately with Byrd was about Mavis and the contest.
Ironically the day I met Mavis was the day the short-story contest I had entered was supposed to announce the winners. They were behind and there was no announcement. But one week later I learned that I had come in 3rd place.
I'm happy you and Mavis met. When I offer memorial
prayers for Byrd a soft, peaceful feeling fills my
mind. I believe your friendship with Mavis would
make Byrd very happy. How wonderful this universe
is that we all have connected within the Law. It's
no less fantastic than many of the images in the
Lotus Sutra!
Wish I was close enough to attend the Gathering.
Have a great one, Patty
Hi, Jean. It seems as if the screenplay would be on Byrd's computer, or on a disc, or one of those little USB extra drives that look like keychains.
I am so sorry to hear that Byrd was distraught by the SGI shun. I had heard from another of Byrd's friends that she had been in high spirits despite that. I guess not.
CMC,
I'm sorry if I left the impression that Byrd was unconcerned about being shunned by SGI. When I said she was in high spirits, I wanted to dispel the notion implied by some that she might have been suicidal, which was far from the truth.
In my last conversation with her, she did express how incredibly stressful the whole situation with SGI was for her and that she really didn't need that stress.
Posted by: Michele at March 2, 2009 12:25 PMOkay, Michelle,I understand.
Well, I know she was a dynamic person, with quite a great sense of humor, so I could have imagined her as being in high spirits and moving on quickly, or not, either way.
I know I would have been extremely stressed out in those circumstances myself.
By the way, I can't find your email. I was going to email you yesterday. If you can find mine, can you drop me a line so I can save yours? I thought I did. CMC